Hundreds gather to fight Fynn Valley quarry plans near Ipswich

Why it matters: The proposed quarry would operate for 16 years and include a processing plant that would handle materials from other locations, potentially affecting three villages:

• Westerfield

• Tuddenham St Martin

• Witnesham

The big picture: Local opposition has quickly mobilised since TRU7 Group announced its plans in August. Suffolk County Councillor Elaine Bryce joined villagers from multiple parishes including Ashbocking and Coddenham at Witnesham Parish Hall on Wednesday evening to organise their response.

Opposition views: Julia Barker, a Westerfield resident, warns of wider implications: "This doesn't only impact the immediate and surrounding villages but it will affect wider Ipswich as well, many of us know how bad the traffic is already!"

By the numbers:

• 1.7 million tonnes of material to be extracted

• 16-year operating period

• 350 objections lodged so far

• 21 days will be available for formal objections once plans are submitted

What's next: TRU7 Group, based in Kesgrave, has postponed its planned consultation with villagers from November to January. The company says plans remain at an early stage and no formal planning application has been submitted yet.

The response: The developer says it will engage extensively with the local community to minimise disruption if the proposal progresses, while promising to maximise employment opportunities and protect the environment.

The bottom line: As opposition grows, residents are raising concerns about the potential impact on both village life and wider Ipswich traffic congestion, with hundreds already mobilising against the plans.